That development forced coach Ken Hitchcock to go with struggling Brian Elliott against the Kings.

Elliott, who allowed all four goals, said he didn't know he was playing in until about five minutes before the game.

After the game, Hitchcock indicated Halak's reinjury was a surprise.

"It just happened so quick," Hitchcock said per the Post-Dispatch. "It was after the warmup. I think everybody was in a little bit of shock. It is what it is. He had three really good days of practice and then somewhere in the warmup he pulled it again. It isn't good for us right now."

The loss dropped the Blues to 0-4-1 in their last five games. Hitchcock was very critical of his team afterward, saying, "This is a team that has to find itself."

Halak's expected return was viewed as a welcome, especially when Hitchcock was critical of Elliott's play following a 6-5 shootout loss Saturday to the Anaheim Ducks.

"Not playing very good. Not much I can say. He'd be the first to tell you too. He's got to play better," Hitchcock told stltoday.com. "You can't stay in the lineup if you don't play well. I don't care who you are. He's got to play better."

Halak, 27, originally strained his groin Feb. 1 against the Detroit Red Wings.

In five games this season, Halak is 3-0-0 with a 2.10 GAA and two shutouts.

Last season, the Blues finished second in the Western Conference behind the strength of the goaltending tandem of Halak and Elliott. The duo combined for 49 wins and 15 shutouts while the team allowed the fewest goals in the league (165).